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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Giroud leaves Los Angeles FC</li><li>Signs one-year deal with Lille</li><li>Transfer makes "perfect sense"</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Makes perfect sense' - Olivier Giroud 'excited' to swap MLS for Ligue 1 as ex-Chelsea star joins Lille on free transfer after LAFC exit

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<p>Days after Giroud and LAFC <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/olivier-giroud-and-lafc-mutually-part-ways-with-move-to-lille-reportedly-next/bltfa8e084c72226c42" target="_blank">mutually agreed to part ways</a>, the 38-year-old has signed a one-year contract with Ligue 1 team Lille. The ex-Chelsea man has spent 13 years away from French football but now he is "excited" to make his return there.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>He said, via <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce9xx9njd7yo" target="_blank">BBC Sport</a>: "I'm very happy and excited to be back in France, home. It made perfect sense to return to Ligue 1, 13 years after leaving it. I've always considered Lille a top French club. It's a young and talented squad, which needs experienced players like me. So I'll also be there in that role."</p>

WHAT GIROUD SAID

<p>Giroud has enjoyed a glittering career, winning trophies with Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, France, and more, in a remarkable show of longevity. The striker, who turns 39 in late September, struggled at LAFC but it seems he still believes he has more to give and perhaps a French homecoming can reignite his goalscoring touch.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Giroud, who <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/olivier-giroud-announces-international-retirement-following-heartbreaking-euro-2024-swansong/blt8cb4a822b828aaa9" target="_blank">retired from France duty last year</a> with a record 57 goals in 137 appearances for his country, will hope this upcoming season with Lille can be as successful as his last campaign in Ligue 1 - with the former Arsenal ace helping Montpellier win the title in 2012.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'Makes perfect sense' - Olivier Giroud 'excited' to swap MLS for Ligue 1 as ex-Chelsea star joins Lille on free transfer after LAFC exit | Goal.com

Olivier Giroud says it makes &quot;perfect sense&quot; to return to French top-flight football after swapping Los Angeles FC for Lille.

&apos;Makes perfect sense&apos; - Olivier Giroud &apos;excited&apos; to swap MLS for Ligue 1 as ex-Chelsea star joins Lille on free transfer after LAFC exit

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